SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 5, 1878

SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

The Sabbath-school is a nursery for the youth and children. It is also a place where all can receive much instruction and benefit. Where parents and teachers heartily co-operate, and the proper efforts are put forth, the probabilities are that the children will be converted to God. The mold given to a person's character in youth grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength. If the early education is irreligious and detrimental to vital piety, the probabilities that that person will be converted and become useful in the cause of Christ rapidly decrease as he grows in years. “As the twig is bent, the tree inclines.” “If the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” The wise man truthfully says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.” The opposite is equally true. If a child is permitted to grow up without training, or is instructed in the way he should not go, in after years he will not depart from it.

There are instances where individuals who have not had a religious education in their youth give their hearts to God, and grace triumphs in their salvation; but men with whom there has been a marked failure in this respect, rarely fill important positions in the work of God. So important is the early training of men who fill important positions that angels have often been sent to give special instruction to their parents respecting the course they should pursue with their children in infancy and childhood. Especially is this the case where children have been given in answer to prayer. See Luke 1:13-15; Judges 13:3-7. Moses, a man whom God honored as he has honored no other man, notwithstanding he was brought up in the Egyptian court, received his earliest instructions from his godly mother.

Of Timothy, who was a valuable help to him, the apostle Paul said, “I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state.” He also writes to Timothy, “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” The second time Paul was brought before Nero, just before his execution, his soul seemed to be drawn out for some one who could impart spiritual joy to him. This hero of faith writes in the following strain to his son Timothy: “Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy.” He then gives the reason why Timothy could be such a comfort to him,—“when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”

No fact is more evident than that the foundation of a correct religious experience is laid in the earliest years of an individual's life, and the neglect of this work is a grievous sin on the part of parents and guardians, which they will have to answer for in the day of Judgment. The death of Eli was a special judgment of God, because he neglected to restrain his sons, notwithstanding he was in other respects an acceptable priest. This sin was so great in the sight of Heaven that God said to him: “I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm

of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.” Another expression reads: “All the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.” 1 Sam. 2:30, 31, 33. The effect of Eli's sin was felt for many generations; and one hundred and fifty years later a portion of this wonderful prophecy was fulfilled in judgments against his house in consequence of it. 1 Kings 2:27.

At the present time, many fail to realize that they have any special responsibility in teaching the children the Scriptures, and filling their minds with those principles which should govern them in future life. Hundreds of parents have unconsciously slept while the enemy has sowed tares. Suddenly they have aroused to find a crop of tares, thorns, and briers fully ripened. Then, with sorrow of heart, they call for help, but it is too late. The bad seed has taken root, evil habits have been formed, and the parents go down in sorrow to the grave. What can be said to arouse parents and guardians to the importance of this subject, especially those who believe that the day of wrath is pending?

The advantages of the Sabbath-school cannot be overestimated as a means of educating the youth in the Scriptures, and laying a foundation for a genuine Christian experience. A great responsibility rests upon the teacher, and no less upon those who have the care of the youth at their homes. There must be a hearty co-operation in this work on the part of all connected with it. Children should be taught at home that there is an importance to this matter. They should be assisted in thoroughly learning their lessons. The teacher should not only labor to interest the pupils in the school, but to make the lessons instructive, and especially should he labor for the salvation of their souls.

In conclusion, let every company of S. D. Adventists see, first, that they have an organized Sabbath-school; second, that all, from the oldest to the youngest, who can comprehend a Bible story, attend it; and, third, that there is a hearty co-operation on the part of all connected with it. And they should never rest until every member is soundly converted to God.

S. N. Haskell.